Derek Riordan ‘hit’ in Diane’s Pool Hall fracas

FORMER Hibs and Scotland star Derek Riordan was punched during a scuffle at a city bar on Sunday night, it has been claimed.

The 31-year-old was asked to leave Diane’s Pool Hall in Morrison Street after becoming involved in a fracas between two regulars who were playing a game of pool.

It is understood a disturbance erupted and punches were thrown – one of which connected with Riordan.

The striker, who is currently without a club after being released by Alloa Athletic at the season end, was asked to leave the venue after the incident.

It is thought Riordan had attended the bar with two other men and left around 6pm.

A pub regular, who declined to be identified, said: “Riordan came into Diane’s being really loud and was shouting at other punters who were playing pool.

“I didn’t recognise him at first but one of the other customers pointed him out. I was surprised to see him as I thought he was banned from all the pubs in Edinburgh.

“He kept being really loud and was annoying two regulars who were having a game of pool. Unfortunately he annoyed the wrong guys and got punched.”

The source said Riordan’s drinking companions and staff moved in to “break up” the fracas. It is understood no report of the incident was made to Police Scotland who vowed to investigate any reports of abusive behaviour.

A spokesman said: “Police Scotland take all reports of abusive behaviour seriously and anyone wishing to make a complaint of this nature should phone 101 or contact the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

The latest incident comes just months after Riordan was fined £430 for assaulting a man who bumped into him in an Edinburgh pub. The former Celtic striker pleaded guilty to striking Damian Holahan on the head to his injury at Malones Irish Bar in Forrest Road in February last year.

The city’s Justice of the Peace Court heard how Riordan had been on a night out and his recollections of the incident was “vague”.

In May 2012, Riordan was fined for hurling homophobic abuse at bouncers at the Picture House on Lothian Road.

And in 2009, he was given a ten-year ban from the 45 venues registered with Edinburgh’s clubs scheme Unight after he was caught flouting earlier bans four times. His original one-year ban came in 2008 came after he abused staff at the Berlin nightclub in Queensferry Lane but it was doubled within weeks when he was caught trying to sneak in to Espionage nightclub in Victoria Street. Riordan started his senior career at Hibs, scoring 54 goals in 123 appearances for the Easter Road club before being snapped up by Celtic.